Saving Beauty: Palazzo Venezia through war and rebirth

Located in the heart of Rome, Palazzo Venezia has been far more than just a residence for popes, cardinals, and ambassadors. In more recent times, between the two World Wars, the Palace took on a new and silent vocation: becoming a sanctuary for art. In 1917, numerous masterpieces from Venice and other cities threatened by the conflict were transferred here, as the Palace became an emergency repository for the protection of Italy's national artistic heritage.During the Second World War, the building once again became a nerve center for safeguarding art, thanks to the decisive efforts of illustrious figures such as Aldo De Rinaldis and Emilio Lavagnino. Following the end of the conflict, the major exhibitions held between 1944 and 1945 marked the beginning of a new era: the nation’s cultural rebirth and the transformation of the palace into a museum open to the public. This tour offers a historical reconstruction of how Italy sought to protect its artistic and cultural identity when everything seemed to be at risk.

LOCATION: Palazzo Venezia - Palazzo Venezia entrance, via del Plebiscito, 118

This tour costs 5€.
This fee is in addition to the cost of your VIVE entrance ticket. 
To secure your spot on the tour, make sure to book and buy your ticket at least 2 days in advance by clicking here. 
It is necessary to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the visit at the designated meeting point.  For inquiries, please contact the educational team by sending an email to:  vi-ve.edu@cultura.gov.it.  

The tour will be conducted in Italian.